Major Project: Presentation

Here is my presentation outlining my major project idea :)

Major Project Presentation

Major Project Unit: Development

After meeting with one of my contributors today, and following a discussion with my tutor, I have decided to produce my show in a "day in the life" style, to show the struggles the couple face due to the house they currently reside in, and I will use this to point out why they so desperately need to move, and I will try to touch on the housing association's criteria here, to see if I can unravel why they have not yet moved.

Major Project Unit: Research

For this unit, I have done research into different documentaries and programs that have aired that cover the topic I am covering. I have found a couple that I feel are very relevant to my topic.

The first of these is Dreams of a Life, a film about a woman called Joyce Carol Vincent, who disappeared without trace and was dead and decomposing in her London bedsit for approximately three years. I know that the story is not the same, but metaphorically I think it could be, as it tells the story of someone who was possibly neglected and most definitely forgotten about.

Another program I have found is one that aired recently on Channel 4, entitled How to Get a Council House. This shows the inner workings of the housing association and how they decide who is eligible for what sort of property. You can watch it here:

How to Get a Council House

Professional Practice Unit: Change of Plan

My original plan for this unit had been to commence a work placement with the Kent Fire and Rescue Service but due to unforeseen circumstances this is no longer going ahead. Instead I am now going to be producing a promotional video for a business that I have been involved with for a number of years, this is the gym I go to. The video will be to promote the products and services they offer, as well as a brief history of the business.

Professional Practise Unit: Dissertation Tutorial

Today I had my dissertation tutorial with Chris at the UCA campus, and after feeling that my initial idea, (which was to focus on how cars are represented in films) wasn't really going anywhere, I did some more thinking and some more research and I have now decided to focus on Magaret Thatcher's reign as prime minister of Great Britain, and use the film that depicts this story (The Iron Lady) as a case study. I also have an idea to compare and contrast this to a film made about another famous figure, namely Lady Dianna Spencer. The film, which is self titled, is similar to the Iron Lady as it tells the story of another very famous individual.

The main reason I have chosen this subject for my dissertation is I have always had a slight interest in what went in during the reign of Thatcher, her acheivements, people's opinions of her, how she was portrayed in the media and so on. Hopefully by choosing this topic I will be able to broaden my knowledge of this undeniably important period in Great Britain's political and economic history. 

Major Project and Professional Practice

Having been given a clear idea of what is expected from us during this semester, I have secured a work placement in the Media Team at the Kent Fire and Rescue Service. I will be shadowing the audio visual officer during my time there. The role of audio visual officer means the person who is responsible for the filmmaking side of the media operations, so coming up with the ideas and so on. They are also responsible for the handling and use of all equipment belonging to the media department. 

Regarding the major project, I have chosen to go with an idea I first had for the documentary unit in our first year. I am planning to do a documentary on the problem of the lack of appropriate housing for people who have mobility issues thanks to a degenerative illness or an accident that has left them with reduced mobility. 

Start of a new semester!

So after a lovely long summer break, we had our first day back today, and we were briefed out on the two units we are working on this semester. These are Major Project and Professional Practice. I have potentially secured a work placement for the professional practice unit but I am still playing with ideas for my major projects. Obviously as the ideas come I will regularly update my blog with them. All in all it's set to be a pretty exciting semester!